The song was performed by Nilsen and a crowd of more than 40,000 people in Youngstorget in Oslo and at squares across the country on April 26, 2012, as a protest against statements given in court by Anders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of the July 22 attacks in 2011. The performance was inspired by Facebook reactions after Breivik claimed in his trial testimony that the song was an example of Marxistpropaganda and that it was being used to "brainwash" Norwegian children.[1] Organization was made at the level of Norwegian Minister of Culture, and other Ministers [of Culture] from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands were also present.[2] The song was thus performed a few days later, in the midst of the ongoing trial. In Oslo the sing-along was followed by a march up to the site of the trial, where the crowd laid down flowers.[3] The song was performed both in Norwegian and English, and Nilsen had personally contacted Seeger, who responded with the words: "Oh me, oh my. I wish you luck."[4]

Psychiatrist Thor Kvakkestad criticized this public outpouring of emotions during an ongoing trial and called for a focused discussion about the hate that seems to be building in the Norwegian populace. He also compared the rally to a pillory.[5]